City provides daily update on fish kills, beach conditions

August 3, 2018

The city of Sanibel released its daily update on fish kills and beach conditions island-wide.

First break of day reports for today indicate a significant increase in the volume of dead sea life deposited on the shores of Sanibel overnight, according to officials. Based on initial reports, it appears to be a 25 percent to 30 percent increase in the volume of dead sea life compared to the prior day.

On Aug. 2, the city removed a total of six large carcasses - five goliath grouper and one tarpon - from the island's shores. Crews have completed the task of removing the nine additional dead goliath grouper from the bayside that were in the areas difficult to access. Cleanups of canals also continue.

Due to the increase volume of dead sea life, the city is further increasing the contractual labor and equipment to be deployed on the beaches over the weekend, officials reported.

City phone lines at 239-472-6397 will be staffed on Aug. 4-5 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Under the direction of the Sanibel Department of Public Works, the city has three basic operations underway to remove dead sea life from the island:

- Beach clean-up

- Canal clean-up and waterside removal

- "Rapid Response Team" primarily addressing large carcasses

Daily contractual labor crews arriving by bus are continuing to work on the beach in the five designated zones, with a city staffer to monitor and direct around sea turtle nests and such.

The Sanibel Boat Ramp has been prepared as the staging area for the canal and water-borne clean-up operations. The current plan is to bring all dead sea life back to the Public Works yard for hauling off-island by Advanced Disposal. Advanced Disposal deployed additional dumpsters to Public Works for debris disposal. At this time, public access to the boat ramp is permitted.

In addition to city employees and Crowder-Gulf - the city's hurricane debris removal contractor - the city has also deployed local landscapers, previously under contract with the city, to assist with the removal of the dead fish.

Large carcasses inventory for today:

- Goliath grouper: 5

Three at 40 pounds

Two at 60 pounds

- Tarpon: 1

One at 50-60 pounds

Today's first light of day report from Public Works staff is as follows:

- Lighthouse Beach

Current Conditions: Extremely poor

Red Tide: Present

Odor: Strong

Deposits: Approximately 60 dead sea life every 10 feet

- Sanibel Boat Ramp

Current Conditions: Fair to poor

Red Tide: Present

Odor: No

Deposits: Approximately 10 dead sea life every 10 feet

- Algiers Beach (Gulfside City Park)

Current Conditions: Fair to poor

Red Tide: Present

Odor: Present

Deposits: Approximately 50 dead sea life every 10 feet

- Tarpon Bay Beach

Current Conditions: Fair

Red Tide: Moderate presence

Odor: Present

Deposits: Approximately 20 dead sea life every 10 feet

- Bowman's Beach

Current Conditions: Fair

Red Tide: Heavy presence

Odor: Present

Deposits: Approximately 20 dead sea life every 10 feet

- Blind Pass

Current Conditions: Moderate

Red Tide: Moderate presence

Odor: Present

Deposits: Approximately 10 dead sea life every 10 feet

- Turner Beach Park

Current Conditions: Good to excellent

Red Tide: Not present

Odor: None

Deposits: Zero deposits of dead sea life

Based on tides, winds and currents, the conditions may alter quickly and significantly.

If you encounter any dead sea life washed ashore on private property that is too large to be removed by hand, email address and location to j.zimomra@mysanibel.com and attach a photo if possible.

A large portion of the dead fish on the beach are catfish. The pectoral (side) fins and dorsal (top) fin contain sharp venomous spines; extreme care should be used when handling the fish. Beach-goers should also avoid stepping on dead catfish as some sharp barbs can even penetrate the sole of a shoe.